Abia factional Speaker to probe Ikpeazu administration

The Abia State House of Assembly, under its factional Speaker, Chukwudi Apugo, says it has received a plethora of petitions against government agencies and will soon begin a probe.

Recall that Apugo was elected the Speaker at a plenary held on Tuesday outside the Assembly complex, which was presided by the Deputy Speaker, Ifeanyi Uchendu, where 18 out of 27 members of the Assembly impeached the Speaker, Chief Chinedum Orji.

The House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Public Accounts, in a statement on Thursday, said it had received a plethora of petitions alleging various offences by different elected and appointed functionaries of the state.

The statement signed by the chairman of the committee, Obinna Ichita, said it was committed to quick consideration of the petitions in relation to the Auditor General’s Report and the financial statement of the accounts of Abia State Government led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Recall that Ichita was appointed the chairman of the committee, set up by Apugo on Wednesday.

The committee stated that in a bid to discharge its duty speedily within the next 14 days, it would be holding a joint interactive session with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the relevant security agencies.

The statement read, “The committee is expected to submit the report of its findings in the plenary session of the Abia State House of Assembly.

“The Head of Service of Abia State and all accounting officers of the concerned ministries, departments and agencies of Abia State Government will be given further information regarding their various dates and times of appearance before the committee.”

Efforts to get the Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, for the administration’s reaction, proved abortive as calls placed to his mobile line indicated that it was switched off.